Fluid control system



Dec. 1, 1931. c. w. MCKEE FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FladNov. 1'1. 192g D Niwww,

Mw V/s.

Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES GARN W. MCKEE, OF ROCKFORI),ILLINOIS FLUID CONTROL SYSTELI Application med November 17, 1928. SerialNo. 320,049.

The present invention relates to improvements in means for governing thesupply of fluids, and has particular reference to control means for gasburner supply lines.

In many industrial appliances, Ia plurality of gas burners are fed froma single manifold to which gas and air in the desired ratio are suppliedthrough a suitable mixing device, such as a Venturi suction T. Thesupply of gas is controlled by a zero governor. The supply of air iscontrolled by means of a cock or Valve, and the volume of the fuelmixture is automatically controlled bythe flow of alr.

The burners in many instances are independently adjustable to provideflames of different intensities. Accurate independent adjustment of theburners often is of vital importance in the manufacturing process inwhich they Aare used. Changes in the flame intensity from apredetermined intensity at any one of the burners may spoil the Work inthe process of manufacture. In the foregoing construction, by reason ofthe remote 25 control, adjustment of one or more burners influences thepressure in the manifold and hence infiuences all the other burners.This is decidedly objectionable and renders adjustment diiicult. l

The primary object of the present invention therefore resides in theprovision of' While theiinvention is susceptible of vari-L ousmodifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawingand will 'herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it isto be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention zoto the vspecific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modificationsand alternative constructions falling Within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims. l Referring morespecifically to the drawing, the exemplary embodiment of the inventioncomprises a fiuid supply manifold 10. Connected in parallel to themanifold l0 in spaced relation along its length are a plurality of fluidoutlet pipes 11, nine being provided in the present instance. Each pipe11 is provided With an adjusting means, such as a suitable hand cock 12.VVhilethe invention is not limited to the distribution of any particularfiuid. it is particularly adapted for the distribution of a gaseous fuelmix- 55 i ture, and hence a gas burner 13 of suitable construction isshown connected to each pipe 11. The manifold 10 may be of any suitableconstruction, and in the present instance is cylindrical in form, andclosed at one end.

^ Fuel mixture is supplied to the other end of the manifold 10 from asuitable mixing and proportioning device designated Generally as 14. Inthe present instance, his device is in the form of a Venturi suction Tcomprising a casing 15 having inlet openings 16' and 17 andan outletopening`18. Secured to the opening 18 and connected to the manifold 10is an outlet expanding cone 19. A tapering nozzle 20 connected to asuitable air 8 supply pipe 21 is secured in the opening 16, andterminates at a point slightly spaced from and in front of the inlet`end of cone 19. The opening 17 is connected to a suitable gas supplypipe 2,2 in which a restricted and adjustable orifice 2 3 is interposed.Airy from the nozzle 20 enters the cone 19 at a relatively highvelocity, and creates a sucvalve 25 is to the atmosphere. The 1,00

space 26" at the other side is exposed to; the

.pressure in the pipe 22 `at, the outlet side of the valve 25. Anadjustable spring 27 tends to close the valve 25.

Where relatively high gas pressures are used, it is advisable to put aservice governor on the line to produce a gas pressure at the inlet ofthe zero governor of not more than a few inches of Water column.'

Interposed in the pipe 21 is a suitable air .regulator 28 preferably ofstandard construction.' The regulator 28 comprises a valve 29 in thepipe 21 and connected to a diaphragm in a casing 31. The space 30 remotefrom the valve 29 at one side of the diaphragm 30 is vented to theatmosphere, and a wei ht fold 10. Hence, the pressure ofthe fuel mixturein the header 10'is not disturbed by the adjustment of any one ormore ofthe burners 13. After a bui-ner is once adjusted for a desired pressurein the burner head by l adjusting the valve 12, that pressure willremain while the other burners are being adjusted. It is true that theadjusting of the burners to the correct burner head pressure may changethe air-gas ratio of the mixture in the pipe 10 but this can afterwardsbe adjusted once and for all by 'adjusting the orifice 23'.

I claim as my invention 1. A fluid control system comprising, incombination, a manifold, a plurality of burners connected to saidmanifold, a mixing device for supplying a mixture of air and gas to saidmanifold, a line for supplying air to said mixing device, a line forsupplying gas to said mixing device, said mixing device including meansfor inducing a flow of gas in proportion to the air supplied, aregulatorinterposed in said air line, and means connecting said regulator to saidmanifold so as to render said regulator responsive to the pressure insaid manifold.

2. A fiuid control system comprising, in combination, a manifold, aplurality of burners connected to said manifold, means forregiilatingthe supply of fluid to said burn# ers, a mixing device for supplying amixture of air and .gas to said manifold', a line for supplying air tosaid mixing device, a line foi` supplying gas to said mixing device,said responsive to the pressure in said manifold.

3. -A fluid lcontrol system comprising, in combination, an elongatedmanifold closed at one end, a plurality of discharge pipes connected tosaid manifold alon its length, means for individuall control ing thedischargeof fluid throng said pipes, a mixing device connected to` theother end of said manifold, means for supplying a fluid to said mixingdevice, a zero` governor in said last mentioned means, other means forsupplying another fluid to said mixin device, the flow of said lastmentioned fluid inducing a proportional flow of said first mentionedfluid, a regulator in said other means for controlling the supply ofsaid last mentioned fluid and a pressure line connecting said regulatorto said manifold `so as to render said regulator responsive to thepressure in device, a regulator in said second fiuid line,

and a pressure line connecting said regulator to said manifold so as torender said regulator responsive to the pressure in said manifold.

5. A fluid Control system comprising, in combination, a manifold, aplurality of independently adjustable burners connected to saidmanifold, a mixing device for sup lying a mixture of air and gas to saidmanifrdld, a line for supplying air to said mixing device, a regulatorinterposed in said line responsive to the pressure beyond the outlet, aline for supplying gas to said mixing device, and a zero governor insaid last mentioned gas line.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

vGARNET W. MCKEE.

mixing device including means for inducing a fiow of gasin proportion tothe flow of air thereto, a regulator interposed in said air line, andmeans connecting said regulator to said manifold so as to render saidregulator iio

